I've had this pattern on my mind for a while now and at last, ‘It's a Wrap!'
The Wrap Top is loosely based on the original Wrap Dress pattern that has been downloaded thousands of times and been one of the most popular patterns on the site so far. This ‘It's a Wrap' top has taken some of the best elements of that dress and turned it into a blouse with a few variations that I think you'll like.
Features:
- Cross-over front bodice
- Loose and casual sleeves with a little flutter
- Pleats on one side to create soft draping across the front
- Can help to hide a prominent tummy
- Slightly shaped at the waist
- Close fitting in the hips
- Flattering look with no awkward ‘gaping'
- Step by step photos and written instructions
- Video tutorial too
- Sizes from 32 to 44 inch bust
This has quickly become a wardrobe staple and I've been wearing this one everywhere. It looks equally good in a print or in a solid. The plain color helps to show off the pleats and gathers a little more, but the print looks fab too. I can't decide which is my favorite.
You can download the pattern and instructions for the Wrap Top from my design account at Payhip. It's a PDF file containing both instructions and pattern pieces all in the same file. Enjoy!
Trouble downloading files? Check out this article - How to Download and Print PDF Sewing Patterns
How to sew the Free Wrap Top Pattern
You can watch and copy me here in this video. I've not talked a lot about sewing with stretch fabrics, assuming that if you've been following So Sew Easy for a while that you might have tried some of my patterns before, but if you need more help with that, there are tips and details in the downloadable instructions too.
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See, that's not too difficult and you can certainly make something with a nice fit. Pick the right fabric and tell everyone you got this from a ‘nice' store and they'll never know you made this yourself for just a few dollars! My fabric was only $5 a yard – that's a bargain!
Step by Step Instructions
Materials needed:
- 1.5 yards of stretch fabric
- Optional – knit stay tape
If you prefer written instructions, you can download these too. The instructions include lots more details about sizing, tips for sewing with knits, fabric to use, how to print and put together the pattern, and of course sewing instructions – everything you need to know along with step by step photos as well.
You can download the pattern and instructions for the Wrap Top from my design account at Payhip. It's a PDF file containing both instructions and pattern pieces all in the same file. Enjoy!
Trouble downloading files? Check out this article - How to Download and Print PDF Sewing Patterns
Enjoy sewing your wrap front top pattern, and do share your completed projects. You can:
- upload to Craftsy and link back to the original pattern
- write a blog post and I'll pin it to my ‘Your Sewing Creations‘ Board on Pinterest
- send me a photo to share on the Facebook Page
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Tried several times to download pattern-it simply doesn’t work.
HI Sue, you only get three tries; perhaps you can empty your cookies and try again using the link in this post only.
How do you join the pattern pages together after printing? some pages have no solid border to match next page.
Do you think I could attempt this in a non-stretch fabric? I would love to try it in maybe a silk or satin
You could…. but as there is no zipper/button opening getting it on and off might be a challenge unless you put a zipper in center back.
This is a lovely top. I would very much like to purchase the pattern rather than try and cut it out. will it be possible? I am in South africa.
Hi Ronelle, sadly no. This method is simply not possible for me at the moment due to the price. It would cost me so much to print and distribute, the cost would be so high I dought people would pay.
Pages 16-42
Its easier to print out at a kinkos or office print place, they have large format printers instead of doing the single page method at home, for a few dollars.
Please add this to your PayHip. I want to make matching mother daughter tops for my daughter and I and this is perfect. I’d rather pay you than BluPrint!
Thank you Heather, I will do that Kind Regards,
I’ve just finished taping the pattern pieces together and have noticed that the left bodice pattern piece is about two inches wider at the hemline than the right bodice piece. Is that right? shouldn’t they be the same since they are sewn into the side seams together? Or is the difference there to accomodate the pleats?
I hate to print 42 pages but love the pattern. So far I have printed 8 pages. What pages are the actual pattern on.
You can look in Adobe reader before you print and work out the pages you need. Sadly I cannot remember from the top of my head.
16-42
Here is my solution for the modesty problem – I sewed in a triangular piece of fabric to cover the deep V. Since it in a knit fabric it fits over my head without any problems.
Could you use fusible interfacing instead of the knit stay tape? I’m having trouble finding the tape.
You can make your own by using stretchable interacting cut on a bias.
I use 1/4″ narrow ribbon sewn at WS raw edge of fabric.
I found the stay tape on Amazon
Hi, other than it obviously being a knit fabric, what sort of fabric did you use? Was it just a jersey knit or something more exotic?
Cheers
Christine
Just a jersey knit.
Thank you so very much for the pattern and instructions. I finished it by just simply following your instructions. Thank you.
Hello Deby. Thank so much for this so sew easy pattern. You girls live up to your name as the mystery is taken out of dressmaking with your no nonsense patterns, clear instructions and fabulous tips. Thank you again, Sheila
(PS made it twice already).
what is the finished garment length in size medium? I think I will need to shorten, where is the best place to do this on the three pieces?
HI Barb the best place to shorten it is under the bust.
Hi. I’ve just made this and it looks great. Can I ask though if the front pleated piece is supposed to be narrower than the inner front and back pieces or if I went wrong somewhere? Thanks
HI Kelly, is it possible you can send me a picture of the top you made? mayra@ so-sew-easy.com
I’ve just made this (bit shy to post a pic!) and followed the video tutorial. Wow, what a great pattern and the fit is perfect for me. I have a fair few patterns, big names and indie PDFs but yours are the ones I’ve had most success with by far, I have 3 of the cowl tops and I can see me making more of these. Thanks so much for doing the pattern and the tutorials are just perfect, they are relaxing and easy to follow.
Hello Mayra and Deby! Thank you so much for this pattern! I just finished making it and it fits beautifully! As you can tell, I’m super happy with this one. I made no changes to it at all. I cannot thank you enough.
You are welcome this is one super popular pattern. Would be great to be able to see a picture.
I love the look of this top. Is it possible to increase the size of the pattern. I completed the wrap dress ans there was not enough coverage in the bust area.
Hi Debra, I am happy to grade the pattern can you please tell me how much are we talking about?
Hi thanks for the response. If it could be scaled to 47 inches, that would be great.
Thank you
Sure Debra, I will have a go. Let you know when I am ready.
Hi Mayra, were you able to figure out a way to increase the size?
I have Debra, but there is no easy way to explain without pictures so I thought I would do a separate tutorial for it. Let you know when is out. Kind Regards, Mayra
Is your tutorial available? If so, where? I need it even bigger. 😕 I’ve been trying to find a blouse in my size to go with a new skirt, and have been so frustrated. And, this pattern looks to be almost exactly the ideal blouse I was hoping for.
There are also many vids on youtube on how to grade(resize) patterns by hand and its real easy, i upsized a vintage pattern 3 sizes and i am no expert…..
Is it possible to sew this pattern with Crepe or Satin or rayon fabric. If so any changes to the pattern need to be done. Its difficult to get knit fabrics near my place in my country.
It is possible but you need to know how to fit a pattern to your size and have an understanding of “ease” in a garment, you will need to add a zipper to be able to get in and out the blouse. Hope this helps. We have a blouse designed for woven fabrics https://so-sew-easy.com/pleated-blouse/ and I will be releasing as the weeks go by more blouses for summer. Hope this helps.
I don’t have access to the stay knit tape. I am thinking of making my own from stitch witchery and a light weight no woven interfacing.
The best alternative would be to find some fusible tricot interfacing and then cut yourself some thin strips from the piece. This way its fusible and still has the sort of stretch you’ll need to use on stretchy fabrics.
For those who are trying to achieve a little more modesty, Pamela’s Patterns has in her Unmentionable pattern, a triangular piece with ribbons or straps attached to the two top corners that wrap around your bra straps & suspend in the neck of your blouse. It can be made of scraps & fits in any neckline that is a little too revealing. That would be easy to draft & make in several colors for any top.
Hi Deby. I am thinking of making this as a nursing top; do you think it will be suitable? – Just so I can figure out how many I will make and how much fabric I will need 😉
Absolutely Amber, I think it would be perfect for that. I’d love to see when you get one sewn. Will you load a picture to the forum?
Not a worry 🙂
My first ever wrap top is done. I had to do a fair amount of adjusting to the pattern because I am vertically challenged and the crossover was way too low on me. I just took out some of the length at the shoulder and a little at the waist… and Voila!
My next challenge is a wrap dress…
thanks for the pattern
Sounds great Rachel, so glad you were able to make it work for you. Any chance of a photo? I’d love to see what you made. Perhaps you could upload to the Show and Tel section of our forum here – http://soseweasy.ning.com
should I add seam allowance or not? didn’t understands from the instructions.. 🙁
No you don’t have to do that, seam allowances are already included in the pattern sizing.
I made this top yesterday – it’s fantastic if you don’t look too closely at the sewing, I am a beginner! I followed the video instructions which were easy to do, starting and stopping when I needed to and finished it in 1 afternoon. I had very drapey fabric which I found hard to sew, next time I make it the fabric will be a little ” heavier”. I am also big busted and it fitted well, but I am going to put a stitch where the two fronts cross just to be on the safe side.! Thanks Deby, now to make something else in your fantastic list.
Karen
I have a similar long-sleeved top which is very flattering on all my parts. I am large busted and I use a piece to hide my cleavage also the fabric has a nice, multi-colored print which hides all my back flab. I love this pattern I can’t wait to make a million.
I’m glad its just your style. Hope it turns out well for you Tracey.
I love this style of top. Have pinned it to make when the kids go back to school. Thanks for sharing.
love it, see to be confortable to wear!
Love it! (if only it came in super plus size :D)
I agree!
Thanks Deby… this is an exact duplicate of my favorite blouse. I’ve been thinking of copying forever. Love your blog.
Perfect! I hope it turns out nicely. Compare the printed pattern with your finished top to make sure you get the same fit that you like too.
Awesome. Thank you so much!
Thanks for this pattern – looking forward to trying it.
Beautiful top!!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for tomorrow morning that links to your free pattern:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-pattern-its-a-wrap-top/2014/09/08/
–Anne
Love the top! Thanks for sharing the pattern. Might give it a try but worried about “fat” mid section but heard wraps should help hid it (ha ha). Was afraid to buy a pattern and then not have it work.
It has a nice soft drape across the front that can help to hide a little ‘draping’ of your own! Hope it works out well for you.
Is the tape you use ‘on the bias’ or on the ‘straight’? I’ve found both.
For a knit garment like this, you should use a special stay tape designed for knits. It’s still cut on the straight of the grain, but stretches like a knit fabric would. If you don’t have that, then you could try with a bias cut tape, although I’ve never used it in this way, and I’ve a feeling that it might be too heavy.
A very flattering top, Deby!!! I especially like the blue… really shows off the pleats.
I admired the wrap dress since a while, but as I am a full busted woman 😉 those kind of dresses always scream CLEAVAGE-ALARM! to me. Maybe I have to give it a try, when I find some cheap knit fabric, and then wear it with a top underneath or try to think about a way to incorporate a kind of “fake-top-part” to hide the cleavage. The waist is so flattering!
Thanks so much! Can’t wait to sew it up 🙂
Oh, I like this one even better than the dress, thanks for sharing! <3
Very cute! I just purchased lots of pretty knit fabric. I actually have fabric very similar to what you used to make this, the plain baby blue and the black and white print, as well. I will definitely be making this!
Great, I hope they turn out nicely. Will you load your completed projects onto Craftsy? I’d love to see what you make.
You are amazing! I think it’s time to start sewing cloths instead of rag quilts!
Actually I’m itching to have a go at a rag quilt. Been looking at supplies online and might give it a try.